Accept vs except are two commonly used words in the English language, but they are often confused with one another. These two words may look and sound similar, but they have entirely different meanings.
The purpose of this article is to provide a clear explanation of the difference between “accept” and “except” to help you avoid these common mistakes and use these words correctly in the future.
Accept vs Except
Explanation of “Accept”
Definition of “accept”:
- To take or receive something offered
- To agree to a proposal or a condition
- To acknowledge or approve of something
Examples of sentences using “accept” correctly:
- I accept your apology.
- We accept the terms of the contract.
- She accepted the award on behalf of the team.
- She will accept the award on behalf of the company.
- They accepted the terms and conditions of the contract.
- The committee has accepted the proposal.
- I must accept that I was wrong.
- He has finally accepted her decision to end the relationship
- The school accepted his application for enrollment.
- We have to accept that change is inevitable.
- He has learnt to accept himself as he is.
Common errors involving “accept”:
- Using “accept” instead of “except”: “I will take all the cookies accept for the chocolate ones” (should be “I will take all the cookies except for the chocolate ones”)
- Using “accept” in the sense of “except”: “I will accept the invitation to the party except if it rains” (should be “I will accept the invitation to the party unless it rains”)
- Misplacing “accept” in a sentence: “I will accept the invitation, except if it rains” (should be “I will accept the invitation, unless it rains”)
Explanation of “Except“
Definition of “except”:
The word “except” is used to introduce a statement that narrows down or limits what has been previously mentioned. It is used to indicate that one or more items are excluded from a group or list. It can be used as a preposition or a conjunction.
Here are a few examples of sentences that use “except” correctly:
- I will eat anything except mushrooms.
- She was late for class every day except Monday.
- All the cookies are gone, except for one.
- We will be closed on all major holidays, except for Christmas.
Here are a few common errors involving “except”:
- Confusing “except” with “accept”: “I will except all your suggestions” is incorrect and should be “I will accept all your suggestions.”
- Using “except” to mean “besides”: “Everyone except you is going to the party” is incorrect and should be “Besides you, everyone is going to the party.”
- Using “except” with negative context: “I don’t like anything except pizza” is incorrect and should be “I like only pizza.”
The Main Differences Between Accept vs Except
“Accept” and “except” are two commonly confused words in the English language. They are homophones, which means they sound the same but have different meanings.
The main difference between the two is that “accept” is a verb that means to receive or take something, while “except” is typically a preposition that means to exclude or leave something out.
Here is a quick reference guide for remembering when to use each word:
- Use “accept” when you mean to receive or take something, as in “I will accept your gift” or “She accepted the job offer.”
- Use “except” when you mean to exclude or leave something out, as in “Everyone is invited to the party except for Jane” or “All of the items are sold out, except for this one.”
Here are some tips for avoiding common errors involving “accept” and “except”:
- Remember the action of accept is receiving something so if you can use “to receive” or “to take” in place of it, then “accept” is correct.
- Remember that “except” is used when something is left out, so if you can use “excluding” or “but” in place of it, then “except” is correct.
- Be careful when using “accept” in the passive voice; it is not “excepted” but “accepted”
- Remember that “except” is often used with “from”, “for” or “with” , “everyone except from John” is incorrect, instead should be “everyone except John”
- Lastly, when in doubt, try replacing the word with a synonym to check if it makes sense in the context of the sentence
By following these tips and referring to this quick reference guide, you can reduce the chance of making mistakes when using “accept” and “except” in your writing and speaking.
Understanding the differences between “accept” and “except” is important because these words are used frequently in written and spoken English. Misusing these words can cause confusion and can make your writing or speech appear less polished. By understanding the correct usage of “accept” and “except” and following the tips provided, you can improve the clarity and effectiveness of your communication.
Misused Words in English: Accept vs Except | Image
Accept vs Except – Picture
